By Barbara Simmons

Grads2Work – Department of Counselling & Career Coaching, George Brown College

A week after classes officially ended in April 2005, George Brown College’s Department of Counselling & Career Coaching launched Grads2Work—a job finding club designed for our newly minted graduates. The selection process included completion of an application form and a personal interview. Participant selection was based on individual work search needs, group compatibility and level of commitment to attend.

The 24 participants selected represented diverse college programs including: Computer Programmer/Analyst, Fashion Design and Techniques, Architectural Engineering, Business Administration, Financial Services, Marketing, Financial Services, Accounting, Culinary Management, Community Worker, Assaulted Women and Children’s Counsellor Advocate and Construction Engineering.

The group was facilitated for the three weeks by a team of in-house career counsellors, an intern/grad from the Career and Work Counselling program, a counsellor from the alumni office, technical and support staff. Curriculum included: establishing guidelines and boundaries, polishing résumés, sales and networking letters, mastering cold calling, preparing individual video interviews and conducting group and individual feedback sessions, preparing business cards, teaching search strategies, portfolio preparation and providing practice sessions to learn and begin to master challenging work search strategies within an atmosphere that promoted the group concept of assistance and support. A computer lab was secured for their use only and paper/printers, Internet, fax and telephones were supplied.

One exceptional workshop component was a half day interactive networking session which was based on the speed dating concept of brief meetings with recruiters and employers for the purposes of practice, making connections and raising confidence. Many of the international students had never met a Canadian employer, and all eight of these employers were obviously interested in providing topical information and advice. Three grads at a time met with an employer, introductions were made with time for questions and answers, business cards were collected and offered. Then, the employers moved on to the next group of Grads and repeated the process in order to meet with all of the individuals. The networking luncheon and large group discussion provided a forum where even the shyest of grads participated.

With limited funds to operate the job club, the department administrator pre-negotiated successfully with a local for-profit organization and one of the college academic areas to act as sponsors. As a result; binders, career resources/directories, materials and snacks contributed to our providing a professional approach and welcoming atmosphere. Grads2Work ended on May 13 and a one month follow up was conducted as of June 13th. However, at least 20% have already started work or training and two grads are awaiting commencement of training.

For more information regarding the Grads2Work program, please contact Robert Malowany, Counsellor at Casa Loma campus. His number is 416-415-5000, ext. 4776

Written by Barbara Simmons, a Counsellor with George Brown College. She can be reached at 416-415-5000, ext. 2105 or by email at bsimmons@gbrownc.on.ca